Roughland Wood

The woods around Heathfield don't advertise themselves much, which is exactly why Roughland Wood works so well. It's proper Sussex woodland - the kind with actual paths rather than theme-park trails, where you'll find yourself alone on a Tuesday afternoon listening to nothing but birds and your own footsteps.

There's nothing fancy here. What you get is dense mixed woodland with a network of walking routes threading through it. The trees are old enough to feel like you're actually in a forest rather than a managed copse. In autumn, the light filters through the canopy in that particular amber way that makes you understand why people become photographers. Spring brings bluebells if you time it right, though not in the showstopping quantities you'd get at somewhere more famous.

This works best for serious walkers rather than the "nice family stroll" brigade. Kids under ten will probably kick up a fuss about the lack of amenities or viewpoints - there's no cafe, no playground, just trees. But teenagers and adults who actually like walking will appreciate the genuine wildness of it. You're not fighting crowds, and you won't be shepherded along a prescribed route.

Dernwood Farm Glamping is within spitting distance, making Roughland an easy add-on to a wider Sussex parks holiday. Allow two to three hours for a proper wander depending on which paths you pick. No entrance fee that I'm aware of - it's the kind of place you just go to. Best visited after rain when the woodland floor smells like it should.